Having made it to and passed by its 20-year anniversary (see Rock Art Brewery at 20 Years), Rock Art continues to evolve and put out new and interesting beers. Located just off Rt. 100 in Morrisville, Vermont, this brewery is a must-stop on any brew-tour out of Stowe or on the way up to the Northeast Kingdom.
I recently stopped in on a Saturday just after opening (10 am), along with my my trusty four-legged friend. I was warmly greeted by Justin, a true beer maven, who enthusiastically recommended some beers to try and prepared my four-sample flight.
While Justin distracted my curious canine with tasty crackers, I settled in to do some serious tasting; here is what I found:
Ginger Beer (4.5% ABV) No hops in this beer, but lots of ginger! Not overpowering, it makes for a great fire-side drink … unfortunately, its a limited-edition creation and not available in cans.
Appearance: 4.4 | Aroma: 4.6 | Feel: 4.5| Taste: 4.7 | Overall: 4.6
Black Currant Saison (5.0% ABV) A nice saison with subtle flourishes of the the little black fruit.
Appearance: 4.6 | Aroma: 4.4 | Feel: 4.4| Taste: 4.6 | Overall: 4.5
Humble Harvester IPA (6.0% ABV) A classic IPA and very drinkable.
Appearance: 4.5 | Aroma: 4.4 | Feel: 4.5| Taste: 4.5 | Overall: 4.5
Vermont Spruce Stout (8% ABV) A classic stout, infused with spruce buds. Great aroma and finish. Chocolate overtones. Great winter beer.
Appearance: 4.6 | Aroma: 4.5 | Feel: 4.4| Taste: 4.6 | Overall: 4.5
As a bonus, Justin busted out a can of Twin Tip and gave me a pour:
Twin Tip (8% ABV) A hoppy Double IPA with a classic appearance in the glass … made with Chinook and Amarillo hops, giving it a slight hint of citrus.
Appearance: 4.6 | Aroma: 4.5 | Feel: 4.5| Taste: 4.6 | Overall: 4.5
The Cicerone says: Although its been around a while, Rock Art Brewery continues to be competitive with its newer cousins. The owners and staff (thank you Justin!) are super friendly and welcoming. While you can see many of their beers in stores around the area, make a trip to the brewery if you want to try one of their great limited editions!